Hoponius Union | Jack's Abby Brewing

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L--Clear golden color with about an inch of off-white head that dissipated to a film, but left some lacing.
S--Very citrusy, with a lot more yeast and malt than an IPA (which I guess it isn't, but that's my frame of reference).
T--Wow, very nice. Fruity, sweet and citrusy. Hops are definitely there, but not dominant.
F--Juicy & quenching. Could definitely have more than one on a warm day.
O--Excellent. Bought it at random in a sampler sixer and boy, am I pleasantly surprised.

L -- Slightly hazy orange with a two finger off-white head produced with moderate pour. Good retention and lacing.
S -- Primarily citric and resinous hops, with a hint of tropical fruit. Fairly mild overall
T -- This has got to be one of the most successfully unique lagers out there. It takes just like an IPA! Very hop-heavy with a nice floral sweetness. Just the right bitterness for the ABV.
F -- Crisp and clean mouthfeel, assumedly due to the result of lager fermentation instead of the normal ale fermentation that is standard for hop-heavy beers. Very refreshing. Smooth, tapering finish.
O -- This is the first Jack's Abby offering that really made me realize that this brewery isn't (always) a gimmick: sometimes playful spins on lagers can result in a really exceptional – and good value – brew.

Out of a can it pours a golden/amber color with a big billowy foam head that is two thumbnail lengths tall. It retains well and leaves a sudsy film and plenty of lace.
The nose has a lovely tropical fruit aroma, with pineapple and mango standing out in particular. Some toasted malt also. Smells like an IPA.
Low and behold, everything about this screams IPA, from the citrusy hops and soft pine feel. There is both a tropical fruit juiciness, grapefruit zest, and slight lemon tartness that is delicious. There is a coating of sweetness from the malts. One of the few times it feels like a Lager is when it produces a clean, dry yet grassy finish that lingers. It is also Lager like in its lightness. Yet, this one has character and an ale like fullness in flavor. The carbonation is gentle and the sudsy film makes it feel almost creamy.
What a real treat this was! A true eye opener. It might become my go to Lager.